Spring Valley gearing up for lighted holiday parade

After the sun sets in Spring Valley, Santa’s Workshop will come alive with lights.

You can bundle up your family for the annual lighted Santa Parade Saturday. The parade leaves from Hall High School at 6pm and will follow St. Paul Street to City Hall.

Earlier in the day, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of cookies and candies at the Spring Valley United Church of Christ Cookie Walk. It runs from 7:30am until 12pm on East Erie Street.

Donations needed for Mendota area toy drive

Christmas is about more than presents but when you’re a kid, having something to open on Christmas morning means a lot. A toy drive in Mendota will be accepting presents until Friday, December 12.  The effort is called Operation Elf Action.

You can select a child’s name by visiting First State Bank, Financial Plus Credit Union, Midland States Bank in Mendota or Gehant Bank in West Brooklyn. You can leave your gifts at First Federal Savings Bank in Mendota.

You can take your children to meet Santa and Mrs. Clause Saturday from 12pm-2pm at First State Bank in Mendota.

Christmas tree raffle included in Easter Seals fundraiser

Putting up the Christmas tree is either a beloved family tradition or a day of frustration. You can enjoy a collection of Christmas trees without having to unknot a strand of lights Saturday at Celebrations 150 in La Salle.

The Second Annual Easter Seals of La Salle and Bureau Counties Festival of Trees offers something for you and your children. Area businesses will be decorating trees to be raffled off.

There will also be booths with people selling items, an ugly sweater contest and activities for kids.

The Festival of Trees is from 9am-4pm. It’s free to get in. Proceeds benefit Easter Seals, an organization that serves children with special needs.

Christmas in the Valley returns this weekend

Commercials have already shifted to Christmas season and so have stores. The city of Spring Valley figures its time for them to get into the holiday spirit.

The annual Christmas in the Valley is this Saturday. Santa will be in Spring Valley for pictures from 9am-2pm. There will be a petting zoo starting at 10am and a barbershop quartet strolling through town.

Many Spring Valley businesses will join in the Christmas celebration with sales throughout the day.